Russian teams won the last 3 editions, but even last season Russia had just 2 spots. I don't know. I followed Kondzio's post. Kondzio, please, could you put the new ranking link?

There's no need to put it again, Bartek enclosed it in first post, it's 2nd and 3rd page in this e-book published by CEV ranking of each club is based on club's performances in European Cups in 2011, 2012 and 2013 maybe other Russian teams did not good enough, it's hard to find reason for only 2 spots for Russia and for Poland or Italy... maybe Russian team will get a Wild Card

Gold medal - World League 2013 Prediction GameBronze medal - World League 2012 Prediction Game

If Bulgaria gets a spot, it will be Marek Union-Ivkoni. Hypo Tirol Innsbruck won the Austrian League, perhaps they will be representing Austria. Jihostroj Ceske Budejovice won the Czech League, as far as I know. Probably Tours and Paris Volley will represent France. Belogorie SHOULD participate as a reigning champion, regardless of whether Novosibirsk get the second quota. Russia must have three teams, no matter what.

RESULTS:The observed results indicate that, sooner or later, weight training leads to full recovery and as such is therapeutically indispensable. ... As a result, all the patients recuperated. ... All the patients who enrolled in the weight training programme were able to avoid back surgery.

It seems Posojilnica got one of the four wild cards, regardless of their current status. Piacenza is also there, but the situation with the club arouses many questions. Belogorie's invitation was expected. In CEV's main page they claim it's a debut participation for Perugia, but technically speaking, they have had a Champions League place already. I know the difference is perhaps administrative, but I wouldn't call it a tournament debut. Precura Antwerpen is the only "real" newcomer.

Friend of mine is playing in Austrian Bundesliga and a month ago he said Posojilnica won't play in CL due financial reasons. I also read same in local newspaper few months ago when it wasn't clear will they defend champion title. What changed in 20-25 days I dont know but seems they closed financial construction with CL costs.

Also it's unclear will ACH Ljubljana survive, they have huge financial problems, players didnt get wages for 2014 (if my insider is right, he should be as he played in ACH last season) so I wouldnt be surprised if they give up on CL.

Crvena Zvezda announced they wont play in CL again, Challenge Cup is good competition for them.

Yes, such is CEV's logic. The pots are based on final standings in national championships. Belogorie failed to win the Russian League, got a wild card and there you go - last pot. Such was the case with Trentino when they couldn't win the scudetto, but won back-to-back Champions League trophies. It is a ridiculous seeding and I wish all the best of luck and well-being to the poor soles in the top pot to draw an "outsider" like Belogorie. I wouldn'y put a Russian team (Loko Novosibirsk) in the second pot either, but who am I to say so? So there's a mathematical chance that we have Zenit, Lokomotiv Novosibirsk and Belogorie in the same pool. Because yes, these geniuses allow this as well.

Yes, such is CEV's logic. The pots are based on final standings in national championships. Belogorie failed to win the Russian League, got a wild card and there you go - last pot. Such was the case with Trentino when they couldn't win the scudetto, but won back-to-back Champions League trophies. It is a ridiculous seeding and I wish all the best of luck and well-being to the poor soles in the top pot to draw an "outsider" like Belogorie. I wouldn'y put a Russian team (Loko Novosibirsk) in the second pot either, but who am I to say so? So there's a mathematical chance that we have Zenit, Lokomotiv Novosibirsk and Belogorie in the same pool. Because yes, these geniuses allow this as well.

The only logic that I can spot here is that Italy and Poland should have best chances to win the trophy. Typical shallow eurocrap... or maybe CEV has introduced sanctions against Russia?

RESULTS:The observed results indicate that, sooner or later, weight training leads to full recovery and as such is therapeutically indispensable. ... As a result, all the patients recuperated. ... All the patients who enrolled in the weight training programme were able to avoid back surgery.